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Wike Backs Obaseki On Alleged Printing Of N60bn By FG

Published

4 years ago

Apr 19, 2021.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says the claim by his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, that the Federal Government printed about N60 billion to share by states in March cannot be regarded as spurious.
The governor added that it was regrettable that instead of the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to address the issue raised by Governor Obaseki, he opted to issue a veiled threat to states to pay back bailout loans given to them by the Federal Government.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says the claim by his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, that the Federal Government printed about N60 billion to share by states in March cannot be regarded as spurious.

Wike, therefore, challenged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to unequivocally declare if money was printed or not.

The governor made the comment while briefing journalists shortly after he attended a private function in Abuja on Sunday.

“Obaseki was in APC (All Progressives Congress), so he understands them. So, Obaseki couldn’t have come from the blue to say they printed N60 billion. He knows them,” Wike said.

CBN, Bank, Nigeria

The governor added that it was regrettable that instead of the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to address the issue raised by Governor Obaseki, he opted to issue a veiled threat to states to pay back bailout loans given to them by the Federal Government.

Wike added, “Instead of answering the question he (Godwin Emefiele) said governors have to pay back the bailout loan.

“Bailout is a loan, if you want to take it, go and take it. But answer the question whether money was printed or not printed.”

It would be recalled that Obaseki had recently painted a gloomy picture of Nigeria’s economic state, saying it was in financial trouble.

The governor had claimed the Federal Government printed N60 billion to distribute to state and local governments as allocations.